Korean Job Discussion Forums

natural · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

Hey all
ive just recieved an offer from wonderland and I remember someone had posted that their reputation wasn't the best. can you guys tell me if this is true. if so what has the problems been?

Also is there a blacklist of sorts floating around with the agencies who arent to be trusted
cheers

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

davehere22 · Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Location: seoul

yeah that agency thing would be good if anyone knows of one

Read loads and loads of bad stories about wonderland.
Dont know if there all true, or if the people are just moaning f**%s.

garykasparov · Joined: 27 May 2007

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

Yes, Wonderland has a terrible reputation, but I've worked for two of them. They're better than the average hagwon, never had any problems that most hagwons have. Yes, there are a lot of stupid trivial things done at my school, but you'll find that just about anywhere.

Like all other hagwons, it's all down to the individual location. Does it have a good boss? A good owner? A good set of teachers?

Most will tell you to simply avoid Wonderlands like the plague, but I will only stress that you do your homework first, and do it thoroughly.

KPRROK

Saxiif · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: Seongnam

The name of a franchise school is mostly irrelevant.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

I had a great interview with a new wonderland, in Hapyong I think, and the owner and manager/teacher were very nice people.

Every school is different though. and the franchise name means nothing.
If it is run by good people who can manage a business, then they will take care of you.

Can you get a 1 on 1 interview, see the school etc.?

The only reason I chose not to, was they offered a nice rooftop room, but seeing as my wife was pregnant we couldn't accept it.

Never be rushed into anything.

natural · Joined: 15 Jun 2007

Thanks for the advice guys. much appreciated. It wasnt an offer per se but they wanted me to fill in all the questionaire forms etc i just read on a post some comments about them so thought i sound u guys out

is there a specific site for public schools and how to apply. Also does it matter that i dont live in korea at the moment (would public schools still fund my airfare etc)

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Yeah, usually the name of a franchise school doesnt matter. However, Wonderland has a preponderance of bad juju going against them. I personally know someone who illegitimately got the shaft from them. I've read numerous complaints about various Wonderland branches on here. And then there was the infamous, "escape from wonderland" homepage written by a poor young woman who was vanquished from Wonderland.

Wonderland is a unique franchise with a specific set of managerial, financial, and ethical standards. Those standards purport to a working climate of hostility, indifference and lack of support, and resentment for FT's going to work there.

Wonderland is also almost unique in that it caters to parents of very very young learners --- arguably too young. Kids are dumped there by thier parents at age 3. Immersing your kid in a foreign language works great when that immersion is complete and unfettered by influence from the kids native language. But at Wonderland, FT's see the kids for a couple of hours per day, during which time they are scared to death by these big, incomprehensible adults shouting at them in another language not to pour milk on the kid sitting next to them.

Wonderland exists mainly as a place for rich moms who dont want parental responsibility to keep thier kids for the day, under the guise of "getting the kid starting learning English early". In reality, the kids learn very little and Wonderland is quite ineffective.

If you work there, you will have a miserable time and likely they will try to scrue you out of what they promised.

RUN!

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Picture an airliner on which this would happen:

- ten passengers would get food poisoning from their meals.
- ten would be seated beside violent drunks.
- ten would be seated beside screaming babies.
- ten would get vomited on.
- ten would have food spilled all over them.
- ten would have seatbelts that refused to release them.
- ten would get ejected mid-flight.
- ten would be taken to the wrong destination.
- ten would lose all their luggage and not be reimbursed.
- and ten would enjoy a passible, economy-class flight.

Would you be stupid enough to get on that plane? No? Then why would you be stupid enough to work for Wonderland?

Whistleblower · Joined: 03 Feb 2007

discostar23 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Location: getting the hell out of dodge

the hours tend to be long and there are a lot of loopholes in the contracts like a working hour is not the same as a class so for example if you work 5 forty minute classes then this equals 4 working hours.

Donkey Beer · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

The amount of classes and babysitting make the school a terrible choice. You will also be required to do phone teaching and evaluations every month.

They also take a portion of the first 3 months salary as a deposit. Some of these schools require you to eat lunch with kids. Expect to be working between 7-11 (40 minute) classes per day.

Wonderland = 180 classes per month before overtime

Good school = 30 classes per week (120 per month) before overtime

Because Wonderland does classes per month, dont be surprised when your crooked hagwon boss scrounges up some classes for you, just to max you out.

You most likely will not be receiving medical or pension if you work here.